Labor Negotiations
About
About![]()
About
Washington Unified School District (WUSD) values the collaborative relationships we share with our dedicated labor partners, including the West Sacramento Teachers Association (WSTA), the California School Employees Association (CSEA) Riverview Chapter 168, who support our mission. Together, we are committed to fostering a positive learning environment for our students and a supportive workplace for all employees.
This webpage is your primary resource for the latest updates on labor negotiations, proposals, current contracts, frequently asked questions (FAQs), and more. We invite our community to stay informed and engaged as we work together to ensure the continued success of WUSD’s students, staff, and families.
Current Collective Bargaining agreements
2022-2025Current Collective Bargaining agreements![]()
2022-2025
Current Collective Bargaining agreements
Labor Negotiation Updates
2024-2025Labor Negotiation Updates![]()
2024-2025
Labor Negotiation Updates
5/15/25: WSTA & WUSD Collective Bargaining Update as of May 15, 2025
WSTA & WUSD Collective Bargaining Update as of May 15, 2025
We are pleased to share that on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, the bargaining teams from the West Sacramento Teachers’ Association (WSTA) and the Washington Unified School District (WUSD) reached a Tentative Agreement on Article 14: Duty Hours, following several productive and collaborative sessions.
If ratified, the following updates to Article 14 will go into effect beginning July 1, 2025, as part of the Collective Bargaining Agreement:
Key Highlights – Article 14: Duty Hours
- Certificated Staff Meetings: One of the two required monthly meetings will now be held on the first contracted Wednesday of each month.
- Professional Learning Time (PLT): New language has been added to clarify start times and durations for PLT sessions.
- Short-Term Independent Study (IS): Clear guidelines have been established for timelines in which teachers must submit assignments for students on IS.
- Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA): Updates include improved support for TK-5 VAPA teachers, including considerations for transition time, preparation periods, and grade submissions.
- High School Teachers with Multiple Classrooms: Teachers assigned to more than one classroom during the day will now be exempt from 12 hours of adjunct duty per year.
With the completion of Article 14, tentative agreements have now been reached on three (3) of the eight (8) articles under negotiation between WSTA and WUSD. The teams met again on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, to continue discussions on the remaining open articles listed below:
- Article 16 – Class Sizes
- Article 17 – Compensation
- Article 18 – Benefits
- Article 19 – Early Childhood Education
- Article 22 – Public Complaints
Articles 19 and 22 are close to resolution, with only a few minor details remaining. For Articles 16, 17, and 18, while a full agreement has not yet been reached, meaningful progress was made, including:
- Adjustments to salary schedules for Speech and Language Pathologists
- Allocations for stipends
- Language added to support class sizes and caseloads
All five (5) remaining open articles are currently with WSTA for their thoughtful review and response, which may include acceptance or a counterproposal. While May 14 was the last of our pre-scheduled bargaining sessions, WUSD has expressed a willingness to meet again as early as next week to continue making progress toward a full agreement this year. At this time, WSTA has let us know that the proposed dates are not workable for them and has indicated a preference to resume negotiations during the 2025–2026 school year.
We appreciate the ongoing dedication and thoughtful collaboration of both bargaining teams.
2024–2025 Negotiations Teams
WSTA
Doug Knepp, WSTA President
Steven Wiese, Bargaining Chair
Carolee Churchill
Emily Hunn
Corinne Almberg
Tessa Heavlin-Martinez
Thomas Mellin
Doug Knepp, WSTA President
Steven Wiese, Bargaining Chair
Carolee Churchill
Emily Hunn
Corinne Almberg
Tessa Heavlin-Martinez
Thomas Mellin
WUSD
Shea Borges, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources
Monique Stovall
Autri Streeck
Brittony Billingslea
Belinda Rabb-Patterson
Cristina Lopez
Karla Salvo
Shea Borges, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources
Monique Stovall
Autri Streeck
Brittony Billingslea
Belinda Rabb-Patterson
Cristina Lopez
Karla Salvo
3/27/25: CSEA and WUSD Reach Tentative Agreement on Key Contract Articles
Update on Collective Bargaining: CSEA and WUSD Reach Tentative Agreement on Key Contract Articles
The bargaining teams from California School Employees Association and its Riverview Chapter 168 (CSEA) and the Washington Unified School District (WUSD) met and are pleased to announce that, after several productive negotiation sessions, they have reached a tentative agreement on two contract articles. Below are some highlights:
Organizational Rights (Article 9)
When ratified, the Collective Bargaining Agreement, effective July 1, 2025, will detail the reporting requirements for new hire information to CSEA, with refined and defined criteria and expectations.
Safety (Article 21)
Once ratified, the Collective Bargaining Agreement (effective July 1, 2025), applicable staff will be provided with district-issued safety equipment or gear necessary to meet safety or health requirements. Employees must properly wear and maintain this equipment while performing their assigned duties. Additionally, the District will transfer the current MOU to the CBA to continue to provide a $200 stipend for safety shoes to designated members.
A heartfelt thank you to all bargaining team members for their hard work, collaboration, and dedication. The two teams will continue to meet in November 2024 to negotiate the remaining article of sunshine.
CSEA:
Daniel Gandara, CSEA President
Ruth Pagano-Trn
Christina Jourdan
David Ballestero
Heather Morrow Slutts
Michael Gandara
WUSD:
Shea Borges, Assistant Superintendent of HR
Monique Stovall
Karri Pina
Karla Salvo
Cristina Lopez
3/27/25: WSTA and WUSD Reach Tentative Agreement on Key Contract Articles
Update on Collective Bargaining: WSTA and WUSD Reach Tentative Agreement on Key Contract Articles
On Monday, March 17, 2025, the bargaining teams from the West Sacramento Teachers’ Association (WSTA) and the Washington Unified School District (WUSD) met and are pleased to announce that, after several productive negotiation sessions, they have reached a tentative agreement on two contract articles. Below are some highlights:
Leaves (Article 11)
Upon ratification (effective July 1, 2025), the Collective Bargaining Agreement will include the following:
- Two (2) additional bereavement leave days (deducted from sick leave).
- Up to five (5) fully paid bereavement leave days (for travel exceeding 200 miles one way).
- Language regarding reproductive loss leave.
- Clarification of the definition of immediate family.
- One (1) release day for the death of a current or former student within the district.
- Language regarding professional duties during Parental/Maternity/Paternity/Bonding Leave.
- Allocation of two (2) No Tell Days (per school year), deducted from the member’s available sick leave balance.
Shared Contracts (Article 14A)
Upon ratification, the Collective Bargaining Agreement (effective July 1, 2025) will detail clarified terms for staff shared contracts, establishing clear criteria and expectations.
This language reflects our commitment to supporting staff in balancing personal needs with professional duties. Thank you to all bargaining team members for their hard work, collaboration, and dedication in reaching this agreement. The two teams continue negotiations on the remaining articles sunshined in November 2024.
WSTA:
Doug Knepp, WSTA President
Steven Wiese, Bargaining Chair
Carolee Churchill
Emily Hunn
Corinne Almberg
Tessa Heavlin-Martinez
Thomas Mellin
WUSD:
Shea Borges, Assistant Superintendent HR
Monique Stovall
Autri Streeck
Brittony Billingslea
Belinda Rabb-Patterson
Cristina Lopez
Karla Salvo
